Convertible awning and shutter



Nev. .1, 1932. c. F. MILLER ET AL. 1,335,452

CONVERTIBLE AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed Dec. 11, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1 filli TUE c. F. MILLER ET AL 1,885,462

CONVERTIBLE AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed Dec. 11, 1928 I5 Sheets-Sheet I:

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES E. MILLER AND SETH BRUNDAGE, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA CONVERTIBLE AWNING AND SHUTTER Application filed December 11, 1928. Serial No. 325,225.

etc.,' or as a shutter to obstruct or close the' window opening entirely whenever such is desired, as for example 1n the event of a severe storm or in case the building is to'be 111g at it from the outside of the building left unoccupied for a considerable length of time. d

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character embodying relatively movable sections capable of disposition in one position. to serve as an awning and shiftable to serve as a shutter or vice versa, without it being necessary to open the sashes forming part of the window structure.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the protecting member embodies a pair of swingable sections having relative sliding movement whereby one section will overlap the other when the device is arranged as an awning, excessive obstruction of the window opening being thereby avoided.

A very important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character embodying novel latching means for holding it in awning forming position so that the parts will be maintained rigid and'be prevented from looseness and consequent rattling in the event of windy weather.

A still further object is to provide a protecting device of this type in which means is provided for effecting unlatching when it is desired to move the parts into shutter forming position, the unlatching being effected without it being necessary to open the sash or sashes, and the latching device operating automatically when the parts are moved into awning forming position.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a protective device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, neat and attractive in appear-' ance, easy to operate, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device look and showing it in awning forming position,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view with the parts in the same position,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2to' show the underside of the device in awning forming position for clear illustration of the latch means,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 isan elevation of the device from the outside of the building showing it in shutter forming position,

Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional View therethrough, I

7 Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Figure 6 to show the inside of the device in shutter forming position,

Figure 8 is a view looking at the inner or underside of the device in awning forming position and showing a different form of latch means,

Figure 9 is a substantially central vertical or longitudinal section therethrough, and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary'elevation of the upper end, this view being indicated by the line 10-10 of Figure 8. 7

,Referring more particularly to all of the drawings the numeral 1 designates the wall of a building having a window opening 2 therein within which is mounted a window frame 3 carrying or containing a sash or sashes't here represented as of the sliding type.

In carrying out the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to7, inclusive, we provide able in a manner to be described and equipped m0 with operating means to be hereinafter referred to. The sections 6 and 7 may be of wood, metal or any other suitable material ornamented in any desired manner and having such a finish as to be capable of withstanding corrosion, etc. While possessing a neat and attractive appearance. The section 7 which is the one visible from the outside of the building when the device is in awning forming position as will be explained may, if preferred, be provided with a valance 8 which may be secured thereto in any desired manner but which in the present instance is represented as depending from a canvas or other flexible covering 9 ontne section 7. If the section 7 be made of some material other than metal this covering 9 will be of material advantage as preventing soaking of water into the section 7 and consequently preventrotting thereof. These enumerated details should not be considered as limiting as the invention is of far wider scope in that many modifications may obviously be resorted to depending upon the preference of the manufacturer and the intended cost of the equipment. v

The section 6 is shown as carrying brackets 10 suitably pivoted at 11 upon brackets 12 mounted on the sides of the window frame 3 though, clearly, any equivalent hingemounting permitting swinging of the section 6 may be employed if found advisable. The idea is to mount the section 6 in such a manner that it may swing vertically from the inclined position shown in Figure 2 into the vertical position shown in Figure 6, and vice versa, de pending upon the capacity in which the device is to act at any particular time. The section 7 is shown as carried by pairs of arms 13 and 14 pivoted upon brackets 15 and 16 mounted on the window frame, In actual practice these arms 13 and 14 may constitute the ends of U-shaped rods 17 and 18 pivotally or journally mounted on the underside of .the section 6 as for example by means of cleats 19 and retaining strips 20. However, there is no particular reason for limiting the construction to the exact disclosure as it is readily conceivable that a mechanically equivalent construction may be provided without difficulty. Nevertheless, it is a feature that the outward divergence of the arms 13 and 14 with respect to one another will insure proper movement of the section 7 from either of its positionsinto the other. Of course, the sections 6 and 7 must be so proportioned and of such size that when they are both dropped into depending vertical position, as shown in Figure 6, they will fill the window opening, at least substantially, and

.form an adequate closure therefor.

The means for raising the device from shutter forming position, shown in Figures ing warping or other distortion as well as.

5 to 7 into awning forming position shown in Figures 1 to 3, and maintaining it in the latter mentioned position, is represented as comprising a latch bar 21 pivoted at 22 on the underside of the section 7 and having its free end notched to define a shoulder 23 and an inclined or curved surface 24 leading thereto. This latch bar cooperates with an angular keeper 25 on the inner or underside of the section 6, this keeper being slotted at 26 to receive the notched and shouldered end of the latch bar. The raising and latching means further includes a flexible member 27 suitably secured at one end as for example to the keeper 25, trained about a guide pulley 28 mounted in a bracket 29 on the latch bar, and passed through a hole or bushing 30 at the top of the window frame, the free end of the flexible member hanging down inside of the building as clearly indicated in Figure 2 so as to be grasped and pulled when the occasion arises.

The latch release means which must of course be provided to permit the device to be lowered into shutter forming position is shown as comprising an arm 31 pivoted as at 32 on the underside of the section 6 and havin a cam-like portion or surface 33 adapted to be brought into engagement with the notched edge of the latch bar 21 for moving the same laterally to permit disengagement thereof from within the slot 26. For operating this arm we may provide a flexible member 34 connected with the free end thereof and passed through a hole or bushing in the top of the window frame with the free end hanging down in position ready to be grasped and pulled. Gravity is ordinarily suflicient to maintain the releasing arm 31 in its lowered or inactive position shown in Figure 7 but if necessary a spring can be provided though such is not illustrated.

The means for lowering the device, in case gravity is insufficient, and for holdin it positively in shutter forming position may comprise simply a pair of chains suitably connected with the edges of the section 7 and passed through tubes or bushings 36 in the sides of the window frame, with the ends equipped with lock bars 87 insertable through those links of the chains nearest the inner ends of the openings or bushings 36. It will be noted that in the drawings the holes or bushings 30 and 36 are indicated only by dotted lines and that there is no detailed disclosure as to the lock bars 37, it being thought that as this structure is so clearly illustrated in our companion application, Case A, filed of even date herewith, a repeated disclosure is unnecessary especially as such an arrangement is quite apparent.

in the operatlon of the device, let it be assumed that it 13 111 shutter forming position 7 illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. At such a time the sections 6 and 7 are in vertical ahneinent and fit within the window opening 2 so as to form a closure therefor. If the valance 8 is provided it will hang below the sill as illustrated in Figure 6 and prevent rain from beating in. When in this position it is intended that the chains 35, or their equivalent, be maintained taut so as to hold the device in closed position incapable of being opened from the outside by an unauthorized person without destroying the device. When it is desired to shift the device into awning forming position, it is merely necessary that the operator grasp the flexible member 27 and apply a pull thereto. When this is done it is clear that as this member is engaged about the pulley 28 a pull will be exerted upon the latch bar 21 causing the lower section 7 to swing'outwardly and upwardly, the section pivoting with respect to the arms 13 and 14 and the arms pivoting upon their brackets 15 and 16. As the latch bar and flexible operating member 27 are disposed inwardly of the upper section 6 they cooperate to swing the latter outwardly when the lower section is moved in the manner just described. Thus the two sections are caused to move substantially simultaneously and the upward movement of the section 7 is continued until the upper end thereof enters beneath the top of the window opening at which time the notched end of the latch bar 21 which is in overlapping relation to the inner face of section 6 will enter and pass through the slot 26 in the keeper 25. The tension upon the flexible member 27 tends to hold the latch bar 21- somewhat toward the left, when viewing Figure 7, so that when the notched end enters the slot 26 the shoulder 23 will engage behind the keeper and prevent withdrawal ofthe latch bar whereby the sections 6 and 7 are locked in awning forming position.

When it is desired to shift the device from awning position into shutter position, it is first necessary to grasp the flexible member 34 and exert a pull upon it so as to bring the cam portion 33 of the arm 81 into engagement with the notched edge of the latch bar and force the latch bar to the right, when viewing Figure 3, to disengage the shoulder 23 from behind the keeper. Gravity will then probably start the downward movement of the sections 6 and 7. If gravity is insuflicient a pull may be exerted upon the chains 35, but in either event it is intended that these chains be pulled in order to bring the sections 6 and 7 into their lowermost positions so that they will be in alinement and in closing relation to the window opening as shown in Figures to 7. When the lock bars on the ends of the chains are then inserted through the links nearest the inner ends of the openings or bushings 36 the device will be firmly held in place as a shutter, as mentioned above. This is the complete operation necessary for shifting from one position to the other.

- tent.

In Figures 8 to inclusive we have shown identically the same structure as above described except that the latch device and raising cables are different. Referring in detail to these figures, the above described latch 21 bar 41 are brackets 47 and 48 within which are journaled pulleys 49 and 50, respectively. in this modification use is made of two hoistin g cables 51 and 52, one of which is dead ended at 53 and the other at 54. These respective cables are engaged about the pulleys 49 and and are both brought through a single or separate openings 55 in the window frame with the free ends hanging down 111 proper position to be readily grasped by the opera u tor.

In the operation of this form of the invention it will be apparent that assuming that the device is in its lowered or shutter forming position and it is desired to raise it into awning position, the operator should grasp the flexible member or cable 52 and pull upon it whereupon the lower section 7 will be swung upwardly into overlying relation to the section 6 as above described. However, the tension on me flexible member 52 has a tendency to force the latch bar 41 to the left, viewing Figure 8, so that the curved end of the head thereon will strike against an edge of the slot 46. its this head is curved the latch bar 41 will be forced slightly to the right, viewing Figure 8, until the shoulder 4.3 can snap into engagement with the edge of the slot at the top of the bracket 45. It is simply the crowding tendency of the pull on the flexible member which accomplishes this result. at any time it is desired to lower the device into its shutter forming position, it is intended that the operator grasp the flexible member 51 and pull upon it to a certain ex- Owing to the fact that this flexible member is dead ended at 58 and engaged about the pulley 49, there will obviously be a tendency to swing the latch bar 41 to the right, viewing Figure 8, and the resultwill be that the latch bar will be moved sufliciently that the shoulder 43 will disengage the end of the slot so as to be capable of passing through the slot. When the operator subsequently slacks-off on the flexible member 51 the latch bar 41 will slide through the slot 46 in the bracket so that the section 7 may move downwardly with respect to the section 6,

after which both will of course swing into dependingvertically ahned posltion as above described. The only difference between this When 1 1 o form of the invention and the above described form lies in the latch device, it being noted that in this embodiment there is no necessity for the cam-like release member 31 shown in connection with the first described form. The device is consequently somewhat simpler to operate and there is less liklihood that the operator might release the latch and careless ly permit the device to descend too rapidly.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that we have thus provided a simply constructed, neat and attractive, and easily installed protective device which will effic ntly perform all the functions :tor'which it is intended and which requires no particular skill and no tools whatsoever in convertingit for use as an awning or as a shutter, depending upon the re quirements o1 circunjistances. Furthermore as the flexible operating members enter the building there is no necessity for opening he window sashes to effect or permit inanipulation of the parts. It is thought that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further erqalanation.

While we have shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an excniplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to maize all such changes in the details of construction. as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus des ribed the invention, we claim: 7

1. In a protective device for a window opening, a rigid member including a plurality of relatively movable sections, one section being pivoted adjacent the top of the window opening and the other being adapted to slide over the first named to overlap the same, means connected with the second named section for moving it upwardly into said overlapping relation to the first named section, and means connected with the second named section for moving both sections downwardly into alinement for closing the window opening.

2. In a protective device for a window opening, a rigid member including a plurality of relatively movable sections, one section being pivoted adjacent the top of the window opening and the other being adapted to slide over the first named to overlap the same, means connected with the second named section for moving it upwardly into overlapping relation to the first named section to constitute an awning, means carried by the second named section and cooperating with means on the first named section for maintaining the second named section 111 said overlapping relation, and means connected with the second named section for moving both sections downwardly into alinement in closing relation to the window opening.

3.111 a protective device for a window opening, a rigid member including a plurality of relatively movable sections, one section being pivoted adjacent the top of the window opening and the other being adapted to slide over the first named to overlap the same, means connected with the second named section for moving it upwardly into overlapping relation to the first named section, latch means carried by the second named section, keeper means on the first named section engageable by the latch means for maintaining the second named section in said overlapping relation, and means for releasing said latch means to permit lowering of both sections into alinement for closing the window opening.

4. In a device of the character described, a rigid member adapted to protect a window opening and comprising a pair of sectlons, one section being pivoted adjacent the top of the window opening and swingable vertically, arm members pivoted at the window opening and pivotally carrying the other section whereby the second named section may be disposed selectively below the first named section in alinement therewith or above the first named section in overlapping relation thereto, the lower edge of the first-named section being disposed adjacent the upper edge of the second-named section when the sections are in alinement and said edges being movable in eccentric arcuate paths when the sections are actuated to assume overlapping relation.

5. In a device ofthe character described, a rigid member adapted to protect a window opening and comprising a pair of sections, one section being pivoted adjacent the top of the window opening and swingable vertically, arm members pivoted at the window opening and p'ivotally carrying the other section iereby the second named section may be disposed selectively below the first named ction in alinement therewith or above the st named section in overlapping relation ereto, and latch means for connecting the ctions to prevent relative movement thereto 'T I W section in alinement therewith or above the first named section in overlapping relation ISO thereto, latch means for connecting the sections to prevent movement thereof from said overlapping relation, means for releasing said means, and means for moving the sec tions into lowered alined positions closing the window opening.

7. In a protecting device for a window opening, the combination of a relatively rigid structure comprising relatively movable sections, iea-ns pivotally mounting one section adjacent the top of the window opening whereby it may swing vertically, two pairs of arms pivoted at the window opening and pivotally carrying the other section whereby it may move into a position lapping the first named section or into a position beneath and in alinement with the first named section, the lower edge of said first-named section and the upper edge of said second-named section being movable in eccentric arcuate paths of difiering radii.

8. In a protecting device for a window opening, the combination of a relatively rigid structure comprising relatively movable sections, means pivotally mounting one section adjacent the top of the window opening whereby it may swing vertically, two pairs of arms pivoted at the window opening and pivotally carrying the other section whereby it may move into a position lapping the first named section or into a position beneath and in alinement with the first named section, one of said pairs of arms being of greater length than the other pair and the lower edge of the first-named section and the upper edge of the second-named section being movable in difierent arcuate paths.

9. In a protecting device for a window opening, the combination of a relatively J rigid structure comprising relatively movable sections, means pivotally mounting one section adjacent the top of the window opening whereby it may swing vertically, means pivotally mounting the other section with re spect to the window opening and with respect to the first namedsection whereby it may move into a position lapping the first named section or into a position beneath and in alinement with the first named sections, the lower edge of the firstnamed section being adjacent the upper edge of the secondnamed section when the sections are in alinement, and said edge of the second-named section being movable upwardly relatively to the said edge of the first-named section so the top of the opening, the other of said sec tions-being pivotally mounted below the top of the opening and being bodily displaceable with respect to said first-named section so as to move into substantially vertical alinement or into overlapping relation with the latter the upper edge of the second-named section being disposed adjacent the lower edge of the fir'st named section when the sections are in alinement and being disposedadjacent the upper edge of said first-named section when the sections are in overlapping relation.

11. A protective device for a window opening involving upper and lower relatively movable sections'adapted to serve as a closure or as an awning for the opening, means adjacent the 'top of the opening for hingedly mounting the upper section, and arms rotatably mounted adjacent the sides of the opening and pivotally connected to the lower section, said lower section being bodily displaceable with respect to the upper section whereby when the device serves as an awning tor the opening the outer face of one section is disposed in contiguous overlapping relation with the inner face of the other section.

12. A protective device for a window opening involving relatively movable upper and lower sections adapted to be disposed in substantially vertical alinement to serve as a closure for the opening or in overlapping relation to serve as an awning therefor, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the top of the window opening, and arms rotatably mounted adjacent the sides of the opening and pivotally connected to said lower section, the upper edge of the lower section and the lower edge of the upper section being adjacent when the sections are in alinement and said lower section being bodily displaceable with respect to said upper section whereby the said edges of the sections are movable in different arcuate paths.

1?). A protective device for a window opening involving upper and lower relatively movable sections, means adjacent the top of the opening for hingedly mounting said upper section, and arm means rotatably mounted adjacent the sides of the opening and pivotally connected to the lower section, the lower section being bodily movable with respect to the upper section so that said sections may be respectively disposed in substantially vertical alinement to serve as a closure for the opening and in contiguous overlapping relation to serve as an awning for the opening, the upper edge of the lower section being disposed adjacent the lower edge of the upper section when the sections are in alinement and being movable upward- 1y away from said lower edge when the sections are actuated to assume overlapping relation.

14. A protective device for a window opening comprising a plurality of movable sections adapted to be disposed in substantially vertical alinement to serve as a closure for the opening and in inclined positions to serve as an awning for the opening, one of said sections being pivotally mounted adjacent the top of said opening, and the other of said sections being pivotally associated with said opening at a point below the pivotal mounting of the first-named section, the inner face of said second-named section being disposed in contiguous overlapping relation with the outer face of the first-named section when said sections are in inclined positions.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

CHARLES F. MILLER. SETH W. BRUNDAGE. 

